Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Gay man vs. Catholic Archdiocese of Richmond

John M. Murphy claims, in a federal lawsuit filed this month, that just eight days after beginning his job as executive director of
the St. Francis Home in Richmond, VA he was terminated because he is married to another man. According to the complaint, Murphy's marital status was disclosed during a meeting with Tina Neal, president of St. Francis’ board of directors before he was hired. Neal said that it was not an issue.

John M. Murphy (background)and his husband Jerry Carter

This incident follows form. Everything is fine until it comes to the attention of one of the eunuchs. According the to the complaint, Neal said she and the
board members who make up the executive committee had met with Bishop
Francis Xavier DiLorenzo the day prior to Murphy's dismissal. The bishop, the suit claims,
“insisted that the executive committee terminate plaintiff on the
grounds of same-sex marriage.”

Murphy filed a complaint with the EEOC in late 2015. Neither Virginia nor the City of Richmond have nondiscrimination laws protecting LGBT people from discrimination. This suit alleges a wrongful termination of employment.